DETECTIVES trying to identify the body of a woman found near a North Yorkshire beauty spot hope the jewellery she was wearing might trigger someone’s memory.

The body of the elderly woman was located around 8.50am on Wednesday in the River Nidd at Knaresborough, near Mother Shipton’s Cave.

Police believe that the death is not suspicious and are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

However they have still to put a name to the body and hope that someone will recognise the jewellery she was wearing.

It included a pair of gold earrings, a gold chain with a pendant and three rings, two of which are set with stones. The plain gold band has the word “sweetheart” engraved on the inside.

The dead woman was around 5ft 2in tall with a medium to heavy build and grey hair. She was wearing a cream cardigan, a white t-shirt with a black flower on it, black trousers and shiny black shoes. A black coat with a leopard print collar was found by the side of the river.

Detective Inspector Pete Martin said: “If you recognise any of the jewellery and can identify who it belongs to, I urge you to contact the police immediately so that we can inform her family about this sad incident.

“As it is possible that the woman may have travelled from outside the Knaresborough area, I am asking everyone to look at the images in case they recognise them.”

Contact Harrogate police on 101, select option two and ask for Dave Horne. Alternatively, information can be emailed to dave.horne@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.